If you’re worried about keeping your mind sharp as you age, you’re not alone. Whether you’re noticing changes in focus, forgetfulness, or have a family history of Alzheimer’s or dementia, the fear of cognitive decline is real—and deeply personal.
The good news is, we’re learning more than ever about how to support brain health naturally. One of the most exciting and hopeful tools? Light. Specifically, red and infrared light therapy. Let’s explore how it works—and how it might help you stay clear, focused, and vital for years to come.
Why cognitive health is about more than memory
Cognitive health isn’t just about remembering names or where you left your keys. It’s the foundation of how we show up every day—with energy, clarity, decision-making power, emotional resilience, and a sense of connection to life.
When you think about investing in your health, your brain should be at the top of the list. It’s the operating system for everything else and it needs the right environment to thrive: oxygen, circulation, energy, and low inflammation. That’s where light therapy begins to shine.
Regular use of Sunlighten infrared saunas and red light therapy panels may be beneficial in supporting cognitive health for a variety of reasons. Let’s explore how having one in your home would be a great lifestyle intervention for cognitive and brain health.
The science of light therapy and the brain
Red and near infrared light can penetrate through the skull and affect the brain directly. These wavelengths are absorbed by mitochondria—the energy producers inside your cells—helping them make more ATP (cellular energy). In brain tissue, this can mean:
- Better mental clarity
- Improved circulation and oxygen flow
- Reduction in neuroinflammation
- Enhanced cognitive resilience
Dr. Michael Hamblin, a leading authority in the field of photobiomodulation (light therapy), explains the dual role this light plays:
“I believe that both [red and near infrared light] are important, but the local effect on the mitochondria in the brain and the blood flow and the oxygenation, the ATP—all the things that people measure—but undoubtedly there is a systemic component. The inflammatory milieu will change when the light goes into the blood. Under normal circumstances the brain cannot easily repair itself as other organs can do. However, light can trigger repair processes within the brain by promoting the formation of new brain cells and new connections between existing brain cells.”
In other words: light doesn’t just help where it lands. It helps everywhere.
Infrared sauna use, which promotes whole-body circulation and vascular health through far and mid infrared wavelengths, may contribute to maintaining this kind of cerebral blood flow and brain tissue integrity over time. Far and mid infrared are particularly effective at gently raising core body temperature, which expands blood vessels and increases heart rate in a way similar to moderate cardiovascular exercise. This leads to improved endothelial function and overall vascular flexibility. These wavelengths help deliver oxygen-rich blood throughout the body and brain—supporting detoxification, reducing systemic inflammation, and enhancing nutrient delivery where it's needed most.
New research supports this idea. A 2025 study published in Interface Focus explored the relationship between blood flow (perfusion) and tissue stiffness in the hippocampus, a brain region crucial to memory and learning. Researchers discovered that higher blood flow correlated with increased stiffness in the hippocampus—a sign of healthy tissue integrity. This finding suggests that supporting brain perfusion could play a role in protecting against neurodegeneration, including Alzheimer's disease, which is often marked by hippocampal softening and reduced circulation.1
Does light therapy need to hit specific body parts to be effective?
When it comes to supporting cognitive health, there are two ways light can help:
- Targeted light therapy is like shining a flashlight right where the brain needs support. Devices placed near the head or brain area can directly stimulate the mitochondria and cells there.
- Systemic light therapy—like what happens in an infrared sauna—improves overall circulation, reduces inflammation throughout the body, and allows those benefits to reach the brain indirectly but meaningfully.
Think of it like tuning a piano:
- Targeted therapy adjusts a single string.
- Systemic therapy lifts the whole instrument into harmony.
That’s what makes a Sunlighten infrared sauna so valuable: it delivers infrared light and creates a systemic healing environment your brain can benefit from, even without light directly on your head.
Dr. Hamblin is currently conducting a study with Neuronic, a company that produces targeted red and infrared light therapy for the brain through innovative helmets worn on the head. The goal is a deeper understanding of how targeted light exposure compares with systemic light exposure in how they influence brain function, mood, and inflammation—particularly in populations with mild cognitive impairment.
This aligns with what he's seen throughout his career: that light can influence biological systems beyond where it touches, thanks to the way the body transports signaling molecules, changes blood chemistry, and activates healing responses.
How to use your sauna for cognitive support
Sunlighten’s infrared saunas are designed to deliver infrared wavelengths—each offering unique benefits to support your body, and your brain
- Near infrared (NIR): Energizes cells, enhances circulation, penetrates tissues—supports mitochondria and neurovascular health.
- Mid and far infrared (MIR + FIR): Work together to improve circulation, raise core body temperature, expand blood vessels, and support vascular and muscle recovery. FIR is especially effective at mimicking moderate cardiovascular activity, helping the body detoxify, oxygenate tissues, and restore balance to the nervous system.
Your brain benefits most when your entire system is in balance. Chronic stress, poor sleep, and inflammation all affect cognition—and infrared sauna addresses all of them. As with all lifestyle interventions, regular use over time will have more impact.
Some cognitive changes to be aware of that may be signaling that regular infrared sauna use could help:
- Brain fog, especially in the afternoon
- Trouble focusing or making decisions
- Forgetting things you know you should remember
- Feeling overstimulated or easily overwhelmed
- Low mood or emotional flatness
- Poor sleep or waking up unrefreshed
- Mental fatigue even after resting
These are all signs your brain may need more energy, circulation or downtime. And these are the same conditions that light therapy is uniquely suited to address.
Longevity starts with daily rituals
You don’t have to wait for symptoms to start protecting your brain. Daily rituals like sauna sessions, deep rest, mindfulness, and movement are powerful longevity tools—and light is a cornerstone.
Whether you’re winding down in the evening or jump-starting your day, a 20–40-minute session in a Sunlighten sauna can:
- Calm your nervous system
- Lower inflammation
- Boost cellular energy
- Support clearer thinking and resilience
It’s not just about living longer. It’s about living better—with a brain that feels sharp, calm, and fully you.
Explore your options for Sunlighten infrared saunas and red light therapy panels and discover how to bring this restorative power home.
